As the seconds ticked away, the dread slowly seeped in. The Thunder were going to win the Western Conference Finals. Really, it felt a fait accompli early in the third quarter when OKC erased an 18-point deficit with stunning ease. During the time between that surge and the final round of mid-court high-fives and trophy dandling, my Twitter feed started filling up with disbelief from fellow Seattleites. San Antonio’s three-pointers rimmed out and fell short, despite my best psychic efforts. Kendrick Perkins slammed home the points that sealed it; Kevin Durant hugged his parents with 14 seconds still on the clock. I looked down at my phone and saw I had an email from a friend, someone not prone to profanity. It read, in its entirety, “FUCK.”

There are a lot of people in Seattle who feel that this is their Western Conference title, something stolen from them as surely as was the team that won it. As someone who lived and died with, and later worked for, the Seattle SuperSonics, I understand this impulse to think that they should be the ones celebrating and Oklahomans should be waiting patiently for college football to start; we had earned this, that they hadn’t. Many of these Seattleites are, in fact, probably thinking much nastier thoughts than those about Oklahomans, and maybe in weaker moments blurting them out in bars or from couches or on the social networking platforms of their choice. However, as bitter and terrible as I felt watching Clay Bennett lift the trophy that night—does it make me a bad person that I noticed he’s got fatter, or that noticing it made me happy?—I had to remind myself that this is not the Sonics, this is not our team, this is not our trophy.

***

This Thunder franchise is, spiritually and philosophically, a spawn of the Spurs much more than it is a Sonics team in podunk exile. Clay Bennett’s entrée into sports ownership was his stake in San Antonio in the ‘90s. And when he took over the Sonics, he looked to an R.C. Buford protégé to construct his franchise. When Presti emerged from his lair on the night of the clinch to gather his riches, he wasn’t just passing his mentor and bringing some hardware to OKC, although he did do all that.

Bennett also reminded fans that without him, this wouldn’t have been possible. Which means that without Bennett, there might be no Thunder, but there would also be no Sam Presti. Sonics fans might still have their team, but that team would not be this one. It would be one consisting of Kevin Durant and whatever stiffs and terrified Euro-bigs and other misshapes and humps that Wally Walker plugged in around Durant.

I said as much on Twitter that night and some people disagreed. They said this wasn’t about Presti, it was about Durant and Presti just lucked into it. Very true, in much the same way Pop and Buford lucked into the No. 1 pick that landed them Tim Duncan. Championship teams, by and large, need generational players, which means that franchises aspiring to win championships require either some serious draft-night luck or a geographic location where the average temperature is above 72 degrees and there are beaches nearby. But LeBron and Cleveland taught us that a generational player alone isn’t enough.

Presti could have stitched together a 45-50 win team with Durant and Ray Allen. But he knew that having the 10th pick in the draft is to have not very much, and to be someplace like nowhere. It’s reductive, but not untrue, to write that teams looking to build a champion in a small market must be willing to suck and hope he ping-pong balls bouncing in their favor. Presti, to his credit, had the guts to trade Allen as his first move. He passed on re-signing Rashard Lewis (who I think old Sonics ownership would have signed) and then got a trade exemption out of it. He drafted James Harden with the third pick when many commentators thought he should have taken Stephen Curry. He wasn’t too proud to cut bait with one of his first draft picks, Jeff Green. He traded him to the Celtics for the guy whose dunk sealed the Thunder’s Western Conference championship.

And so on, and on it went one savvy and resolutely grown-up decision after another, and the team got better and better. The Thunder did all this faster than a lot of franchises, but they did familiar things. Things that, if I’m being honest, would most likely not have been done if Schultz and Walker were still running the team, if only because they were things neither ever showed any tendency or inclination towards doing during their time at the helm.

So OKC fans got to feel what I felt when the Sonics beat the Jazz back in ’96 to claim the West and I can’t begrudge them their happiness. Certainly, I’ve tried. But what did they do wrong? Sure, there were a few loudmouths who were horrible asses about the move, who didn’t think about or try to understand what had happened in Seattle before they opened their loud mouths, the better to let some ignorant-ass anti-Seattle bile escape. But, also, we were calling them inbred, backwater hicks; they had a reason to be upset. We shouldn’t have said that shit, because it’s unfair and unkind, because it made us look petty and because it was petty. All OKC fans ever did was pack their building when Hurricane Katrina made the New Orleans Hornets the OKC Hornets. They brought so much enthusiasm that the NBA had to look long and hard at bringing a franchise to that particular smaller market. As far as I know, they didn’t have to be told to “fan up” and to get in their seats at a reasonable time to spare themselves embarrassment. They embraced this team even when P.J. Carlesimo was the coach. Think about that.

So when I sat there and watched the team and the coach and the owner celebrate, something weird happened. After Clay mercifully shuffled his hammy girth out of the frame and the camera focused in on Durant talking about the team, I smiled. I caught myself and wondered why. It’s because I LIKE this team. Not the owners (let’s not even get into Aubrey McClendon’s questionable character) or the league that disingenously fast-tracked their move out of Seattle, but the guys themselves, the ones who are endlessly endearing and brilliantly fun to watch. The bitterness is difficult to stave off, though. The rational part of my brain tells me that in different circumstances I wouldn’t be celebrating a Seattle win at that moment. The emotional part of me just wishes that we Seattleites had the chance to experience it—in our town, and at a distance closer than arm’s length.

Jeremy Repanich is a Brooklyn-based writer who has spent most of his life in Seattle. His work has appeared in Popular Mechanics and Men's Journal, and on Deadspin and Wired.com. You can see him wallow in Seattle sports misery on Twitter @racefortheprize.

I recently came across your article and have been reading along. I want to express my admiration of your writing skill and ability to make readers read from the beginning to the end. I would like to read newer posts and to share my thoughts with you.orchestre evenement

It is really no surprise that this building was found to have bed bugs infesting it. I mean, it is in New York city, which is pretty disgusting itself. And some of the people who work there, even if they do make decent wages, probably don't make enough to afford what is considered a "nice" place to live in New York City. Especially in midtown, of all places.office cleaning sydney

Randy Reichert brings over 20 years of experience in mine operations to the Colossus team. Prior to joining Colossus, Randy spent two years based in London as Chief Operating Officer with Orsu Metals Corp. and Oriel Resources plc.Click for information

I’m happy I located this blog! From time to time, students want to cognitive the keys of productive literary essays composing. Your first-class knowledge about this good post can become a proper basis for such people. nice one Witch Hazel For Acne

It is perfect time to make some plans for the future and it is time to be happy. I've read this post and if I could I desire to suggest you some interesting things or suggestions. Perhaps you could write next articles referring to this article. I want to read more things about it!https://rebelmouse.com/penguinmethodreviews

Took me time to understand all of the comments, but I seriously enjoyed the write-up. It proved being really helpful to me and Im positive to all of the commenters right here! Its constantly nice when you can not only be informed, but also entertained! I am certain you had enjoyable writing this write-up.Jelly gamat gold g

Glad to chat your blog, I seem to be forward to more reliable articles and I think we all wish to thank so many good articles, blog to share with us. I will really appreciate the helpful resources writer's choice for choosing this excellent article appropriate to my matter.Here is deep description about the article matter which helped me more.

With so many books and articles coming up to give gateway to make-money-online field and confusing reader even more on the actual way of earning money, Hubwit is a refreshing change. I stumbled upon this site while searching for work-form-home options. long dresses

Dr. Paul Lubitz is a licensed Canadian dermatologist with over ten years of experience in the field. Currently practicing at his Bow Valley Dermatology clinic, located in Canmore, Alberta.Click for information

I have bookmarked your website because this site contains valuable information in it. I am really happy with articles quality and presentation. Thanks a lot for keeping great stuff. I am very much thankful for this site.tinnitus relief

The next time I read a blog, I hope that it doesnt disappoint me as much as this one. I mean, I know it was my choice to read, but I actually thought youd have something interesting to say. All I hear is a bunch of whining about something that you could fix if you werent too busy looking for attention.richard ryan of RDA financial

I'm no expert, but I think you just made the best point. You obviously know a lot about what you're talking about, and I can really get behind that. Thanks for being so upfront and so honest about the subject matter. direct-sale.com

Landmark has faced accusations of being a cult, but I saw nothing of that. Far from working to separate us from our families and friends, we were told there was no relationship too dead to be revived, no love too cold to be warmed Click for information

Armenia is a small country of human size, with an area of ​​29,743 km² substantially as large as Britain (34023km²). With a rich history and many tourist attractions, this by making it one of the best places to visit during the holidays.Click for information

Landmark has faced accusations of being a cult, but I saw nothing of that. Far from working to separate us from our families and friends, we were told there was no relationship too dead to be revived, no love too cold to be warmed Click for information

I have express a few of the articles on your website now, and I really like your style of blogging. I added it to my favorite’s blog site list and will be checking back soon…http://www.classiccomputersales.com/

Perfect simulation game to design & decorate your home with best 3D looking furniture and decorations. Not only interior but also design your garden with trees. Both interior & exterior decorator. Free to play on Android and iOS. Design your virtual home with this free app.Dream Home Design

Michael has had a passion for health and wellness for most of his life. He studied health and fitness at university, and now as a personal fitness instructor, Michael particularly promotes the health benefits of fascial stretch therapy.michael pineault article

TicketsAtWork.com is the exclusive corporate benefits program for the Universal Orlando® Resort and is also the corporate benefits provider for many companies featured on Fortune Magazine’s 100 Best Companies to Work For list.Click for information

Tickets At Work reaches over 10,000 companies and 40 million users annually. We provide organizations with the ultimate way to reward and retain their employees with exclusive discounts & special offers for theme parks, attractions, events, hotels, concerts, movies and much more.Click for information

Entertainment Benefits Group (EBG), one of the largest privately held travel and entertainment providers in the United States, announced today its corporate benefits program TicketsAtWork.com, the largest travel Click for information

You actually make it look so easy with your performance but I find this matter to be actually something which I think I would never comprehend. It seems too complicated and extremely broad for me. I'm looking forward for your next post, I’ll try to get the hang of it!free stock photos

Glad to chat your blog, I seem to be forward to more reliable articles and I think we all wish to thank so many good articles, blog to share with us. I will really appreciate the writer's choice for choosing this excellent article appropriate to my matter.Here is deep description about the article matter which helped me more.Philips Day White Take Home Whitening

Entertainment Benefits Group (EBG), one of the largest privately held travel and entertainment providers in the United States, announced today its corporate benefits program TicketsAtWork.com, the largest travel.Click for information

TicketsAtWork.com is the exclusive corporate benefits program for the Universal Orlando® Resort and is also the corporate benefits provider for many companies featured on Fortune Magazine’s 100 Best Companies to Work For list.Click for information

TicketsatWork provides companies with a unique opportunity to establish a savings benefits program by connecting employees to the world’s greatest entertainment and travel discounts Click for information

TicketsatWork provides companies with a unique opportunity to establish a savings benefits program by connecting employees to the world’s greatest entertainment and travel discounts.Click for information

This post is very simple to read and appreciate without leaving any details out. Great work! You completed certain reliable points there. I did a search on the subject and found nearly all persons will agree with your blog.Cars Review

Larry Weltman works as a Customer Service Rep. at AccessEasyFunds Ltd., the country’s leading commission advance company that helps real estate professionals fund their commissions Click for information

Larry is an accountant by training. He has been with AEF since its inception; as was involved in the research and development, and implementation of the AEF model/concept; providing an affordable cash flow solution for real estate agents.Click for information

Larry Weltman works as a Customer Service Rep. at AccessEasyFunds Ltd., the country’s leading commission advance company that helps real estate professionals fund their commissions Click for information

Really impressed! Everything is very open and very clear clarification of issues. It contains truly facts. Your website is very valuable. Thanks for sharing. It's late finding this act. At least, it's a thing to be familiar with that there are such events exist. I agree with your Blog and I will be back to inspect it more in the future so please keep up your act.fat burners

A good blog always comes-up with new and exciting information and while reading I have feel that this blog is really have all those quality that qualify a blog to be a one.I wanted to leave a little comment to support you and wish you a good continuation. Wishing you the best of luck for all your blogging efforts.ipad repair

Three are usually cheap Ralph Lauren available for sale each and every time you wish to buy. They're produced by the very best degree developers who will be distinguished for your polo dress creating. You'll find polo Ron Lauren inside exclusive array which include particular classes for men, women.made in Italy

Mr. Riaz Mamdani is the Founder of Strategic Group and serves as its Chief Executive Officer. Mr. Mamdani served as the Chief Financial Officer of Ponderosa Lumber, Inc. (also known as JAWS Technologies Inc. and also JAWZ, Inc.) from July 1999 to March 31, 2001 and served as its Consultant Click for information

I was just browsing through the internet looking for some information and came across your blog. I am impressed by the information that you have on this blog. It shows how well you understand this subject. Bookmarked this page, will come back for more.Web Development company in joplin Missouri